3, 4-bis-(m-methyl-p-hydroxyphenyl)-hexane



Patented Aug. 22, 1950 UN ITE'D? STATE PATENT OFF-l CE 7 N I -p-HYDROXYPEIEN-YL) HEXANE No*DrawinggjApplieation September 10, 1946,

' Serial No. 696,050

1 ,Glaim. (o1. 2s0-s19) 1 a e 11:51 i

The present invention relatesrto dialkyldihysndroxydiphenylhexadiene, its hydrogenation proclaimucts;- their ethers and their iesteri-ficationv-ipro di-s, ucts.

application SeriaLNa 524,-090gfiledFebruary: 26, a. 1944; andmwhichhas: issued as.::Patenti- Noae. 2,419.516.

It is anaobjecteot this invention tosprovidesa number ofcnovel 1estrogenicacempoundseof:highzsm estrogenic activityand,veryalowtexicitya;

It is a special object of, the iinventionsto pro-1;, vide novel estrogenic. compounds which; dueetq their #high estrogenic activity and-every IOWA-OX5;

icity, possess .yery faycrableitheraPeu-tic indices-a .15

Other objects of: a this i invention. ,will be e-clearic fromthe more detailed disclosures which follow: The a preparation. of i the ;.dialkyldiacidy1oxyd phenyl hexadienes, such as dialkyldiacetoxydi-L;

phenyli'hexadiene; iirom which the; other-meme. 204.5

pounds of; this .invention mayibespreparedstcal be considered :toytake placesineufour steps though certain oiithese,.;steps ;-maykbeL-ady geously; combinedQunderafavorableecircumstanqfi ,s. In-.the firststep otatheiprocess aisuitableialky ,25

phenol; suchaas: one. Iota-the various imethyls et y :1 propyl, and. butyl .iphenolsjs reactedzwith t wpr picnic acid ehalide or=anhydride :tQ pm i lQfis nti alkylphenyl,propionate,. In the; second; Steps h: i.f propionate sis subjected nto..m0lecu1ar rearrans. ment to produce an alkylhydroxyphenyl propi I phenone. In the third steplitwoj mols of this ketone is condensed to produce a 3,4- bis ;(a1l;y l Qxyph n 1 4 h dro exan fourth step this compound,is;treated;wit1iialf 3 yllfi ng other molar pro ortions.ot thejorganic;45

acidflhalides oranh'ydrides and employin gs l a t r d resi he tm nosier 3,4 bis e (alkylhydroxyphenyb 2 i hega 1 may be ob ai d. h segmeme ters. may p r d f m, h ez ie ters y alt-series. tion methods which involve saponifylng the,,d 1 esters under comparative1y mildponditions, such as in the presence of low concentrations of allic..- lka i i n a. .limi dit me n seramiiee to 3 atmospheres" tion may be achieved bytaking advantage of .difierences in the solubilities Lof the diesters, the monoesters, and the di-hydroxy compound, such, for example, as in dilute alkalies;

This-application .is-a continuationrinepart of: 5 1 The aforementioned dihydroxy compounds may be converted into ethers by, any of the conven tional methods for preparing phenol ethers which involve exposing the phenoliccompounds, or their sodium or potassium-salts,to the action of var- ;ious alkylating agents, such as alkyl halides and alkyl sulfates under vconditionsconducive to alkylation. For example, ethers of the mentioned dihydroxy hexadiene compounds result when the sodium salts of these compounds are allowed to zzleact with methyl -0r.other,;alky1 iodides. Both monoand dialkyl ethers may be produced, and

e r ac i r ,Can, ,be cont/rolled by ad i vusting ith' relative quantitiespt ;phe'no1ic, .C QIfliQQIlIlCl QL I-ld a t.

kylatmg'agQMQ employed.

Bye, appropriate cata ienyl) Z/hheXadieneQt respeetive hexene'fs fand vh'eiranes are I prepare from which the dihjydroxy, compounds and i the ecti ters a d. rsemarbmbtaine b rzthe same method as ,alread Qdes'e ribec By drogenating under conditionsjsov con 116 31 13 only two atom of hydrogen, isadded to the ah tndi n ain az srenemmpe d b tained; and by; complete hydrpgenatoin ou .oms of hydrogen is introduced fint'oi the jdiene." chain, and thus the ,hexanes are obtained. Hex; anesfmay be obtained, for instance, by subjecting the ihexadienes to hydrogenation at elevated tern "illustrated in certainof the examples. Plati num or, palladiumblack catalyst may be used.

when it is desirable to carry out the hydrogena tion at room temperatureand at a pressure oi, v

The .hexacliene compounds may also be subjected to controlledvhydrogena tion, procedures employed to partiallyfsatura compounds haying a conjugate double bg d;. y i

tem,j such a as interrupting hydrogenation when lliadditioniof hydrogen,isachieved. The he r ene,or stilbene derivativesimay alsoibe prepared I by starting I with a 3A bis (alkylhydroxyphenyl 3,4;dih'ydroxy-hexane and treating it eitherwit halogen hydracids to producethe correspondin BA-dihalohexane compounds, and then re a 5 tin the latter compoundswith zinc dust or other dehalogenating agents to produce the hexene type of mmen dtu ien u the fin srfi lkyls hydrox ph nyh ,4 e ih r xy-herane may. b the immun L r eaetiea ps r asis-1;: T :,5 P %3-@ set a e z th. dreq l r s cidund r a nr fl lytic hydrogenation of vthe conditions to form the 3,4-epoxyhexane derivative, which is reduced to the 3-hexanol derivative and then dehydrated to the stilbene compound.

The foregoing dialkyldihydroxydiphenyl hexadienes, dialkyldihydroxydiphenyl hexenes, dialkyldihydroxydiphenyl hexanes, their various esters, and their various ethers are referred to collectively herein as dialkyldihydroxydiphenyl hexadiene, its hydrogenation products, their ethers, and their esterification products.

Collectively, the preferred compounds of this invention may be referred to by the following formulas:

X[ TX CHI-CHI: -CH:CH|

l l X- OX wherein X is an alkyl radical, and Y and Y are hydrogen, hydrocarbon radicals, or acyl radicals. In the foregoing formulas Y and Y may be the same or diiferent, and X is advantageously a methyl radical where estrogenic potency of the highest order is desired. Compounds containing ester radicals derived from saturated aliphatic acids of two to four carbon atoms and those obtained from succinic acid, benzoic acid, m-sulfobenzoic acid, and alkyl carbonic acids are of special importance as synthetic estrogens. It is clear from the formulas that the X and Y radicals may have their positions designated as 3' and 4', respectively, or m and p, respectively.

The following examp.es disclose the production of a dimethyldihydroxydiphenyl heXadiene, a di methyldiacetoxydiphenyl hexadiene, a dimethyldipropionoxydiphenyl hexadiene, a dimethyldibutyroxydiphenyl hexadiene, a dimethyldibenzoxydiphenyl hexadiene, a dimethyldihydroxydiphenyl hexane, a dimethyldiacetoxydiphenyl hexane, a dimethyldipropionoxydiphenyl hexane, a dimethyldibutyroxydiphenyl hexane, and a dimethyldibenzoxydiphenyl hexane as prepared from alkylated phenols such as o-cresol. Other alkylated phenols, including ethyl phenols, propyl phenols, butyl phenols, and the like, may be used in a similar manner. Likewise, other carboxylic acid esters, including those derived from higher fatty acids, succinic acid, m-sulfobenzoic acid, and alkyl carbonic acids, may be formed either through esterification of the dihydroxy compounds or through a utilization of other acids as shown in the fourth of the general description of the process.

Example I A. Molar quantities of o-cresol and propionyl chloride are allowed to react in a suitable container, producing, with the elimination of hyis continued for about twenty minutes.

drochloric acid, the o-methylphenyl propionate in a quantitative yield. The crude material may be used for the next step without further purification.

B. Thirty grams of o-methylphenyl propionate is dissolved in milliliters of dry nitrobenzene and chilled in an ice bath; 35 grams of aluminum chloride is added in small portions, and the reaction mixture is kept cold during the addition of aluminum chloride, after which it is left standing in an ice bath for several hours and then at room temperature overnight. Thereafter, the reaction mixture is decomposed with ice water, a few milliliters of hydrochloric acid are added, and the reaction mixture is extracted with ether. The ether solution is washed with water and then extracted with 10 per cent sodium hydroxide solution. Finally crushed ice is added to this solution which is then acidified with hydrochloric acid. The precipitate formed is collected and subjected to steam distillation to remove the ortho isomer. This m-methyl-p-hydroxyphenyl-propiophenone may be used for the next reaction without further purification.

C. Twenty grams of the above ketone is added to 40 grams of amalgamated aluminum foil covered with 1 liter of moist ether and refluxed for several hours. After standing overnight, the reaction mixture is filtered, and the residual magma is washed well with ether. The ether solutions are combined and concentrated by removing most of the ether, after which the residue is placed in the refrigerator for several days to allow it to solidify. The crystalline product is then collected and washed with a small portion of cold acetic acid. After recrystallization from ethanol the 3,4 -bis- (m-methyl-p-hydroxyphenyl) -3,4-dihydroxy-hexane melts at 182 to 183 C.

D. Five grams of the above glycol is suspended in 15 milliliters of acetic acid anhydride, and 10 milliliters of acetyl chloride is added. The flask is placed in a water bath which is gradually heated to 70 C., and heating at this temperature flask is chilled, and the reaction mixture is decomposed with finely crushed ice. The precipitate obtained is recrystallized from ethanol and then the 3,4-bism-methyl-p-acetoxyphenyl)- 2,4-hexadiene has a melting point of 166 to 168 C.

Example II One gram of 3,4-bis-(m-methyl-p-acetoxyphenyl) -2,4-hexadiene is placed in a Bil-milliliter evaporating dish, and 10 milliliters of Claisen solution (50 per cent potassium hydroxide diluted with an equal volume of methanol) is added. This solution is warmed on a water bath at a temperature not exceeding 50 C. until the solid material has dissolved, and then it is left standing at room temperature for twenty-four hours. This solution is diluted with 40 milliliters of distilled water, filtered, and gradually acidified with 10 per cent hydrochloric acid to Congo red. The precipitate solidifies after standing in the refrigerator for several hours. Thereafter, it is illtered off, washed with distilled water, and placed on porous tile to dry. After recrystallization from 50 per cent ethanol, the 3,4-bis-(m-methylp-hydroxyphenyl) -2,4-hexadiene melts at 187 to 189 C.

Example III One gram of 3,4-bis-(m-methyl-p-hydroxyphenyl)-2,4-hexadiene is dissolved in 20 milli- The.

liters of propionicacid anhydrlde and gently refluxed for thirty minutes. The solution is allowed to-cool and then is poured into an-Erlenmeyer flask containing finely cracked ice: The" flask is shakenuntil aprecipitate isformed, after which more ice is added, and the reaction mixtureis left standing for twenty-four hoursto permit complete hydrolysis of the-excess propi onic anhydride and to allow the precipitate to solidify. Ther 3;4 bis (immethyl p propionoxyphenyl)-2,4-hexadiene when recrystallized from ethyl acetate melts at 138 to 140 C.

Other esters may be produced in a similafi manners.

E'lrample IV One gram of 3,4-bis-(m-methyl-p-hydroxyphenyl)-2,4-hexadiene is dissolved in milliliters of anhydrous pyridine; 2.5 milliliters of butyric anhydride is added, and the mixture is refluxed gently for two and a half hours. After cooling, the reaction mixture is treated with water, and the solid which separates after a while is collected. The 3,4-bis-(m-methyl-pbutyroxyphenyl)-2,4-hexadiene thus obtained is recrystallized from methanol; the melting point is 123 to 124 0.

Example V One-tenth gram of 3,4-bis-(m-methy1-phydroxyphenyl)-2,l-hexadiene is dissolved in a quantity of dilute sodium hydroxide solution slightly in excess of the amount demanded by theory. While shaking the clear solution thus obtained, 1 milliliter of benzoyl chloride is added, drop by drop; after the addition of the benzoyl chloride, an excess of ammonium hydroxide solution is introduced, and the agitation is continued for another ten minutes. The mixture is then allowed to stand to allow complete precipitation. The white solid is filtered off, washed thoroughly with water, and dried. Recrystallization from ethanol yields white needles of 3,4-bis-(mmethyl-p-benzoxyphenyl) -2,4-hexadiene melting at 207 to 208 0.

Example VI Two grams of 3,4-bis-(m-methyl-p-acetoxyphenyl) -2,4-hexadiene is dissolved in 200 milliliters of hot ethanol and subjected to hydrogenation at 70 C. and 1,000 pounds pressure for two hours in the presence of a suitable catalyst, such as Raney nickel. This solution is filtered to remove the catalyst and concentrated to a volume of 50 milliliters. The concentrate is placed in a refrigerator overnight, and then the material crystalizing out is filtered off and dried on porous tile. This material, 3,4-bis-(m-methyl-p-acetoxyphenyl) -hexane, melts at 132 C.

Example VII One gram of 8,4l-bis-(mmethyl-p-acetoxyphenyll-hexane is dissolved in 10 milliliters of Claisen solution and heated on the water bath until it has completely dissolved. After standing at room temperature for twenty-four hours, this solution is diluted with 40 milliliters of distilled water, filtered, and then gradually acidified with 10 per cent hydrochloric acid to Congo red. The precipitate is allowed to solidify, filtered off, and placed on porous tile to dry. The 3,4-lois- (m-methyl-p-hydroxyphenyl)-hexane is recrystallized from 50 per cent ethanol and melts at 145 C.

Example 'VHI Onegram of'the 3,4-bis- (m-methyl-p -hydroxy phenyl)hexane is dissolved in 20'mil1i1iter's' of pro-picnic acid-anhydride and gently refiuxedfor thirty minutes.

crushed-lea The vessel isshaken until a pre-'- cipitate is obtained; the solution is left standing fortwenty-fourhours to permit complete solidi-- fication of: the precipitate which then is :filtered oil and placed on porous tile tG dWV The -3,4-'b is-:--

(m-methyl-p-propionoxyphenyl)-hexane is recrystallizedfrom ethanol and them melts at 115"Cl Emma IX One gram of 3,4-bis-(m-methyl-p-hydroxyphenyD-hexane is dissolved in 10 milliliters of anhydrous pyridine; 2.5 milliliters of butyric anhydride is added, and the mixture is refluxed gently for two and a half hours. After cooling, the reaction mixture is treated with water, and the solid which precipitates is collected. On recrystallizing from methanol, the 3,4-bis-mmethyl p butyroxyphenyl) hexane melts at 101 C.

Example X One-tenth gram of 3,4-bis-(m-methyl-p-hydroxyphenyl) -hexane is dissolved in a quantity of dilute sodium hydroxide solution slightly in excess of the amount demanded by theory. To the clear solution thus obtained, 1 milliliter of benzoyl chloride is added, drop by drop, under continuous agitation. Then an excess of ammonium hydroxide solution is added, and the shaking is continued for ten more minutes. The mixture is allowed to stand for few minutes, after which the precipitate formed is filtered, washed thoroughly with water, and dried. Recrystalli ation from methanol yields white needles of 8,4- bis-(m-methyl-p-benzoxyphenyl) hexane melting at 199 to 200 C.

We have found that the estrogenic compounds of the preceding examples can be administered, without observable toxic eiiects, in doses which exceed many times the effective estrogenio doses. Moreover, we have found that certain of the derivatives of the initially prepared SA-bis-(mmethyl-p-acetcxyphenyll -2, l-hexadiene are most advantageously administered parenterally, while others are most advantageously administered orally. For example, 3,4-bis-(m-methyl-p-hydroxyphenyl) 2,4 hexane when administered parenterally in 1.0 gamma doses will still produce 95 per cent estrus on ovariectomized rats. On the other hand, 5 gammas of SA-bis-(m-methylp-propionoxyphenyl) -hexane will produce per cent estrus when orally administered. The estrogenic potency of the compounds of this invention may be readily appreciated when it is recognized that an oral administration of 50 gammas of estrone produces only 70 per cent estrus in rats treated according to standard procedure. The estrogenic potency of the compounds of this invention is further demonstrated by the results of clinical experiments which disclose that the ordinary symptoms in the average menopausal patient are completely dissipated through the oral administration of from but 2 to 4 milligrams of 3,4 bis (m methyl p propionoxyphenyl) hexane per day.

It will be understood that the discussion of the estrogenic potency and the unusual freedom from The solution-is allowed to.cool-- and is-- poured intoa vessel containing finely.

toxicity of certain of the compounds of this invention is merely illustrative of the properties generally possessed by the other compounds specifically disclosed herein.

It will be understood further that the embodiments of our invention described in the specification and in the examples are only illustrative of the compounds and the processes by which they are produced. Various modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention or the scope of the invention which is defined in the claim.

We claim:

A new article of manufacture, 3,4-bis-(mmethyl-p-hydroxyphenyl) -hexane.

VICTOR NIEDERL. ALBERT BLOOM.

8 REFERENCES CITED lhe following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Bloom Apr. 22, 1947 Number Dodds et al., Proc. Roy. Soc. (London), vol.

15 127B, 140, 141, 144, 154 and 165 (1939). 

